Alma’s Simple Homemade Holiday Gifts

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I love the holidays. I love the the food, the music and the family time. I love the vacation from homework, or at least checking my kids’ homework. And I love showing my love and appreciation for all the special people that touch my family throughout the year.

What I don’t love, however, is spending crazy amounts of time and money to show that appreciation and love. I have four children, which translates to about 30 gifts for them to give out at school. There are teachers, teaching assistants, speech therapists, bus drivers, crossing guards… you get the gist.

Does stressing about this make me a less giving person? I don’t think so. Truth be told, the stress just forces me to be a little more strategic in my gifting. One very useful strategy is to give homemade edible gifts.

I, like many people, find good holiday food to be comforting and festive. Giving it as gifts frees up time and money, yet still allows you to create intimate tokens of love for those special people in your life. Here are some of my favorite homemade edible gifts, all of which can be made in bulk.

Photo Credit: Alma Schneider

Butterscotch Sauce

Butterscotch sauce is one of my favorite go-to edible gifts. It’s quick and easy to prepare in bulk and drips with holiday spirit. Feel free to splash a bit of rum in there if it seems appropriate.

(Makes enough to fill 2 6 – 8-ounce Mason jars.)

Supplies for gift packaging:

* 6 or 8-ounce Mason jars

* Sticker labels

* Ribbons

Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

* 2 cups light brown sugar, packed

* 1 cup heavy cream

* Dash of salt

* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar over medium heat until sugar dissolves, about 5 – 10 minutes.

2. Keep stirring, add in the heavy cream and salt.

3. Keep stirring until combined.

4. Add the vanilla extract, stir and let cool.

5. When cooled, store in a Mason jar (or any glass jar with a lid) and put in the fridge.